Safety.... not what you want to hear...

**strey1100** · 10-25-2012

Recently a motorcycling buddy of mine (not associated with MSTA), was in a terrible accident. He is still in ICU and probably will not make it. Larry and I have had discussions for YEARS about riding gear. Larry was a Gold wing rider and very much enjoyed a quiet ride on Sunday afternoons. Usual attire was light shirts or windbreakers, and sneakers. I always argued for better gear. His reply was always "I don't need all that stuff"...
His accident was after a big lunch at a state park (buffet) while riding home. I have adopted a policy of eating VERY light lunches if I eat at all. I get sleepy ... I KNOW I get sleepy and simply don't go there! Rather be hungry as to be sleepy.
He told his wife in the ambulance ride to the Emergency room, "Tell Trey he was right, we should have had gear on..." I can't begin to express how much it hurts to hear those words.
Larry is still fighting for his life and only has a 30% chance of survival. Sad... Just Sad...

**DirtFlier** · 10-25-2012

Sad but I often heard "it won't happen to me" comments from students taking the BRC. My reply was that when and if it happens, you won't have the choice of finding a place with a soft landing zone.

Tosh

**Michael Snyder** · 10-25-2012

Very sad indeed....sorry Trey

As long as there is a chance of survival keep positive thoughts for recovery

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**Buckeye56** · 10-25-2012

Trey best wishes for your buddies recovery.

**RIDEMYST** · 10-25-2012

Trey, I'm so sorry to hear this.
Our prayers are with your friend and his family. - JEP-

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**Zepp** · 10-25-2012

Sorry to hear about your buddy, hopefully he will recover from this and be able to ride another day

I see people without helmets and just can't comprehend why they don't wear one. People die every day just tripping on the sidewalk, you can die at any speed by hitting your head. If you crash,you want to give yourself the best chance of survival. There is such great gear available nowadays that is comfortable to wear and very effective in a crash, everyone should wear it.

**strey1100** · 10-26-2012

Originally Posted by Zepp

Sorry to hear about your buddy, hopefully he will recover from this and be able to ride another day

I see people without helmets and just can't comprehend why they don't wear one. People die every day just tripping on the sidewalk, you can die at any speed by hitting your head. If you crash,you want to give yourself the best chance of survival. There is such great gear available nowadays that is comfortable to wear and very effective in a crash, everyone should wear it.

I guess I am even more amazed at not wearing gloves, heck, even the worthless things with no finger tips... If you fall, it's like placing your hand on an open running belt sander or disc grinder... Just makes no sense...

**strey1100** · 10-26-2012

Originally Posted by Zepp

Sorry to hear about your buddy, hopefully he will recover from this and be able to ride another day

I see people without helmets and just can't comprehend why they don't wear one. People die every day just tripping on the sidewalk, you can die at any speed by hitting your head. If you crash,you want to give yourself the best chance of survival. There is such great gear available nowadays that is comfortable to wear and very effective in a crash, everyone should wear it.

I guess I am even more amazed at not wearing gloves, heck, even the worthless things with no finger tips... If you fall, it's like placing your hand on an open running belt sander or disc grinder... Just makes no sense...

**TN2Wheeler** · 10-26-2012

Originally Posted by Zepp

Sorry to hear about your buddy, hopefully he will recover from this and be able to ride another day

I see people without helmets and just can't comprehend why they don't wear one. People die every day just tripping on the sidewalk, you can die at any speed by hitting your head. If you crash,you want to give yourself the best chance of survival. There is such great gear available nowadays that is comfortable to wear and very effective in a crash, everyone should wear it.

I've heard the opinion espoused by the no helmet crowd that "helmets cause neck and spinal injuries and I'd rather be dead than quadraplegic". Maybe, but what are the odds? That's kind of like the automotive seat belt argument of, "I don't won't to be trapped by a seat belt in a burning car". Like I said, what are the odds?

There are lots of myths out there... Just this morning on national TV (CBS Good Morning) one of the commentators who rides a cruiser said, "you never use the hand brake unless you're already using the foot brake" Heck, I do that every time I ride. Guess I'm in grave danger, huh?

But, not to hijack the thread, I do hope Trey's friend recovers. One of my Harley riding friends ran off the outside of a curve and hit a tree wearing one of those little puddin bowl
helmets a few years back. He recovered but he'll never ride (or do a lot of other "normal" things) again.

My wife crashed (front end washout) a few years back. She did a solid face plant at 30-40 mph. The front and shield of that helmet looked like it had been put against a belt grinder. Fortunately, she is still a beautiful lady.

It's just insane not to wear a good full coverage helmet.

Jim Randall

**DirtFlier** · 10-26-2012

Those pudding bowl helmets are useless unless you plan to land right on the top of you head. If you truly do stop the fall by landing on the top of your head, you are likely to suffer from severe spine compression which can have dire consequences. Much better to do a face plant if you have a choice.